Arman Tsarukyan is not staying quiet. Days after submitting Lance Palmer at RAF 05 on January 11, 2026, the No. 1 UFC lightweight contender accused the promotion of shielding a rival. He says the UFC is trying to make Paddy Pimblett a champion by matching him with Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24.

In a series of sharp comments, Tsarukyan named Pimblett directly. He argued the matchup skips the true pecking order and keeps him away from Pimblett. “Everybody knows they’re trying to keep Paddy Pimblett (away from me). They want to make him a champion,” Tsarukyan said. He added that Pimblett knows he is a bad stylistic fight and would avoid him “his whole life.”

UFC 324 exists because lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is on a short break from active defense. With the interim belt up for grabs, Tsarukyan believes the UFC chose star power over sport. He plans to fly to Las Vegas and be there as an unofficial backup if anything happens to Pimblett or Gaethje: “If something happens, I’ll be there. If not, I’ll wait for my shot.”

The spark: a dominant win and a bigger accusation

Tsarukyan’s latest surge came at RAF 05, where he beat Lance Palmer by submission. Palmer is no walkover: he’s a four-time NCAA Division I All-American and a two-time PFL featherweight champion. That win again showed Tsarukyan’s grappling control and finishing touch.

He now sits at 23-3 in MMA and 10-2 in the UFC. He has also submitted Dan Hooker in the UFC, another sign that he can finish top-level opponents. With that resume, he believes he should be in the interim title slot ahead of Pimblett vs. Gaethje.

“If you skip the No. 1 contender, don’t tell me rankings matter.”

UFC 324: Pimblett vs. Gaethje and a very public feud

The interim title fight at UFC 324 pairs two big names at different stages. Paddy Pimblett is 22-3 overall and unbeaten in the UFC at 7-0. He is a box office draw who brings energy and a loyal fan base. Justin Gaethje, 24-5 (9-5 UFC), is a former interim champion and one of the division’s most violent strikers. The clash is high profile and guaranteed chaos.

Tsarukyan says the booking keeps Pimblett away from him. “Gaethje is easy money for him, that’s why they gave him even interim title (shot), because he’s not gonna be even real champion. There is Ilia Topuria, and he can’t beat even Ilia Topuria.” He also believes Pimblett wants to avoid him outright: “I’m a nightmare for (Pimblett), and he knows that if we’re gonna fight, he’s gonna lose.”

The tension only rose when Tsarukyan claimed Pimblett wished he would get hurt in grappling so that they would not have to meet. “He wants me to get hurt because uh I’m not going to fight him,” Tsarukyan said, framing it as fear and strategy from Pimblett’s side.

“Paddy vs. Gaethje is fireworks, but does it crown the best available contender?”

Why the UFC might be holding back on Tsarukyan

This is not happening in a vacuum. Tsarukyan has had recent issues that likely factor into matchmakers’ plans. He delivered a headbutt to Dan Hooker during the UFC Qatar ceremonial weigh-ins, a moment that drew heat from UFC President Dana White. White publicly pointed to that incident as a reason for caution in giving Tsarukyan high-profile shots.

There is also the missed chance. Tsarukyan pulled out of a scheduled title fight with Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 on short notice because of a back injury. He admitted it hurt his position: “I had my chance, I lost my chance, unfortunately. It is what it is. Soon, I’ll get my belt.”

Put together, those moments may explain why the UFC turned to Pimblett and Gaethje for the interim title rather than the current No. 1 contender. It does not make Tsarukyan happy, but he seems aware of the optics and is trying to stay close to the title scene.

Backup plans in Las Vegas

Tsarukyan says he will be in Las Vegas during fight week and is ready to weigh in as an alternate if needed. He has not been offered the official backup role. Still, he wants to be present, talk to matchmakers, and keep his name in the title talk: “If something happens, I’ll be there. If not, I’ll wait for my shot.”

This is a smart play. If either fighter misses weight or gets hurt, Tsarukyan could seize the moment. If nothing changes, he keeps pressure on the UFC to slot him into the next title fight, interim or undisputed, when Topuria returns.

“If Tsarukyan is No. 1, how is he not in the interim title fight?”

The lightweight picture: power, popularity, and timing

Here are the stakes as they stand:

• Champion Ilia Topuria is 17-0 (9-0 UFC) and on a short sabbatical from defending the belt.
• Paddy Pimblett is 22-3 (7-0 UFC) and a major draw, now one win from interim gold.
• Justin Gaethje is 24-5 (9-5 UFC), a proven elite with knockout power and a history of classic fights.
• Arman Tsarukyan is 23-3 (10-2 UFC), fresh off a submission of Lance Palmer, and the current No. 1 contender.

That mix is the heart of the debate. Do you reward momentum and rank, or do you place stars in big spots to grow the sport? The UFC often tries to do both. In this case, Tsarukyan feels left out while Pimblett gets a chance to add gold to his rise. Gaethje brings striking danger, but Tsarukyan’s contention is simple: he believes Pimblett’s style is better matched with Gaethje than with him.

Tsarukyan’s fans will argue that the sport should come first. Pimblett’s fans will say he has earned this with wins and star power. The only sure thing is that UFC 324 adds drama to an already loaded division, and Tsarukyan has made himself part of the story without even being on the card.

What’s next

All eyes move to January 24 in Las Vegas. If Pimblett beats Gaethje, the UFC will have a fresh interim champion and a massive name to market against Topuria. If Gaethje wins, the belt moves back to a veteran finisher who will meet anyone. Either way, Tsarukyan’s push will not fade. He plans to be there, gloves on, just in case.

And if the phone does not ring? Tsarukyan is betting his form, his rank, and his voice will force the next title shot. “There are no names I should beat. UFC knows I’m the No. 1 contender. They know I’m a big problem for everyone. They know I can beat Gaethje, Paddy and Topuria.” Whether you agree or not, he has put the challenge on the table—and drawn a line the UFC cannot ignore much longer.